World Cup draw sparks MENA travel rush as fan searches soar

Travel demand from the Middle East has surged following the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with fans across the region rapidly making plans to attend matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to new data from Expedia.

Expedia’s latest Fan Travel Outlook shows global interest in travelling to World Cup host cities jumped 245 per cent immediately after the draw. Searches from Saudi Arabia rose by around 160 per cent, while interest from UAE residents climbed even more sharply, up 235 per cent, as fans plan to follow both regional teams and global football stars next summer.

The surge reflects growing appetite in MENA for long-haul sports travel, supported by strong air connectivity to North America and rising demand for experience-led tourism.

Several Middle Eastern teams will feature at the tournament, with fixtures spread across major US and Canadian cities:

• Saudi Arabia will play matches in Miami, Atlanta and Houston.
• Egypt is set to compete in Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver.
• Jordan will head to San Francisco and Dallas.
• Qatar will play in San Francisco, Vancouver and Seattle.

Among all host destinations, Boston emerged as the world’s top trending soccer city, recording a 1,000 per cent spike in searches, driven largely by English and Scottish supporters. Dallas followed closely, with searches up 900 per cent, while New York and Miami also ranked among the most popular cities for international fans.

Regional fans fuel travel surge

Expedia said Gulf-based supporters are increasingly planning multi-city itineraries to follow their teams across several venues, often combining match attendance with leisure travel. Search patterns indicate a strong preference for economy-class travel and short-to-medium stays, reflecting efforts by fans to manage costs while attending multiple games.

Globally, Colombian, English and Scottish supporters were identified as the most dedicated fan groups based on search growth, while Saudi fans ranked among the fastest-growing audiences. The trend highlights the Kingdom’s expanding football culture and the region’s increasing willingness to travel for major global sporting events.

With the tournament still months away, Expedia expects demand from the Middle East to continue building as flight schedules firm up and accommodation availability increases.

Fans are being encouraged to monitor prices, consider alternative airports and explore multi-city bookings as competition for flights and hotels intensifies ahead of the 2026 World Cup.